A secure grip is essential for tennis players, who must use their rackets to hit balls with various levels of spin and speed and in different directions. Sweaty hands make it hard for you to hold your tennis rackets, which can cause you to miss shots, hit them in unintended ways and even drop your racket completely. Some strategies and equipment can help keep your racket firmly in your hand.
Overgrips
A tennis overgrip is a piece of flexible material that wraps around the bottom of your racket. A large variety of grips exist, each of which offers specific benefits. Tacky grips have an almost adhesive quality, making it easier to grip your racket firmly and at odd angles. Some grips are absorbent, which can help you when you suffer from sweaty hands.
The only way to tell which overgrip will work best for you is to test different types. Many overgrips lose their effectiveness after several matches, so note how long the overgrips you choose last with your playing style and sweat levels.
Towels
Many players keep towels on the sidelines to dry off their hands between sets and during side changes. While this isn't an entirely effective solution for those who have severely sweaty hands during game play, toweling off is a common and effective method for dealing with perspiration problems. Choose towels that wick moisture well and that are easy to clean. For example, white towels are a good choice because you can bleach them occasionally to prevent permanent sweat stains.
Wristbands
Another solution is to wear wristbands that absorb sweat. As you play, the sweat on your arms might travel down your wrists to your hands. Wearing wristbands keeps the sweat from reaching your hands. Bring several pairs to every game so you can swap them out as necessary.
Expert Insight
If none of these solutions work, talk to a doctor to see if you have a medical condition that is causing overly sweaty hands or if there are any medications that can help minimize or eliminate the problem.
One condition, palmar hyperhidrosis, that causes extreme perspiration on the hands and occasionally the groin, feet, face and underarms. Treatment options include application of antiperspirant to your hands, placing your hands in a special electrolyte solution several times a week or taking prescription drugs. If your case is extreme cases, you might need an outpatient surgical procedure that severs the nerve in your chest that is causing the excessive perspiration.
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